[Raymond’s Point of View]
Her words repeated over and over again in my mind. From the corner of my eye I could see the thoughts in my mother’s head, screaming out to me. Those documents are in my mother’s possession, and Tavia’s father could possibly still be alive. Why else would he not be buried beside her mother’s grave?
“Mom…”
Michelle looked up, hopeful and waiting.
“I know what to do now,” I spoke to her.
She simply smiled and nodded. “I’m glad you do.”
If Tavia still loves me, then everything is sure to turn out fine. We began heading back, and trailing behind Michelle I began to think. The only thing I have to do now is to find her father, and once he’s found, things could finally be settled. After all, after all that has happened, it’s only fair that the true owner of AVC make the final decision, and with that it will only mean that I’ve done everything I could to come to a nice, little ending. Hopefully, things will end soon.
“What are you planning to do in the near future,” Michelle asked. “Now that you’ve made your decision, and you’ve already slept with Tavia?”
“If AVC truly belonged to someone else and not us, then I have no regrets of letting it go. But Tavia, I love her and no matter what I can’t let her leave me.” I looked up in the sky, watching as the clouds slowly passed by overtop of us. “Tell dad I’m sorry, but it’s time I pursue my own happiness.”
My mother smiled. “Happiness,” she nodded. “I don’t know how Dominic will take this, but if it’s for your happiness, as any parent would want, I’ll do as best I can to convince him.”
“Thank you, mom.”
“It’ll take some time though, so don’t think you can take her home again anytime soon.”
It felt like the first time I’ve done this, since it had been so long. I smiled, laughed a little, and nodded with my mom.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
The only thing I could see were the blurred lights as they passed quickly by my tinted windows. My mind was running in twenty different directions as I unconsciously continued to press forward on the gas. My eyes were out the window, but truthfully they were somewhere else, far beyond where my car was driving to.
I didn’t know what I wanted. I know I can’t live without Raymond’s presence in my life, but yet I can’t let the company slip either. When I was in Raymond’s arms again, I felt the greatest joy in my life, but yet the company. This company, AVC, was the closest thing I have to my parents, and I’ve already lost them, I can’t lose this company either. Why does God have to make it so hard? Why did he have to make me fall in love with my enemy? Why must he play games with me, have me be in Raymond’s arms again, but still make me choose between him and the last memory and achievement of my parents?
Shaking my head, it began to pain. I was suddenly reminded of Nancy, once my best friend, now we’re nothing but mere acquaintances, not even. I barely even see her anymore, so I don’t know what to call our friendship. But I just wish everything would end already, I’d have the company, I’d have Raymond’s love, I’d have Nancy still by my side and so close to me, I’d have everything that I ever wanted. Why does it have to be so hard?
Soft touches of the chilling evening breeze swept my face. That was when I realized the dial read over eighty miles per hour, and that the blurred lights now were never ending. I looked up to see a fast approaching figure of a person. Panic struck me, and I stomped down on the breaks, hard. I could hear the loud, echoing screeches of the tire as it tried to come to a stop on the asphalt ground. My headlights showed the familiar face of an aging man, caught in surprise.
Everything stopped, and breathing hard I rushed out of my car.
“Young people these days…need to watch their driving,” the man nagged as he picked himself up from the black road.
“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” I asked, still catching my breath and calming my heartbeat.
“I’m fine, but you need to be more careful when you drive. This was pure luck,” he laughed.
As he turned and bent down to pick up his scattered belongings, I caught a glimpse of his face. My heartbeat suddenly froze in place, and the heat in my body drained completely within a matter of seconds. I saw enough of his face to come to the awful conclusion in my mind. His warming but clever smile, his thin eyes, and his gentle expression were everything that reminded me of the man I had always looked up to. The man’s face was identical to that of my deceased father. Unbelievable, I couldn’t believe it. My father was dead…
“Let me help you,” I spoke, barely above a whisper.
“Thank you. I’m Michael, Michael Yeung, what’s your name?” He asked me in the most casual, carefree tone I’ve ever heard.
At that moment was when I realized that in no possible way will he be able to recognize me, even if he really is my dad. I was still stiff, trying to fully process the thought that the man right there, Michael Yeung was my father, and that he was still living, breathing, and standing in front of me. “I’m Tavia,” I replied shortly.
“Oh, it’s such a beautiful name,” he smiled.
“Let me give you a ride home…as an apology for, nearly hitting you.” I choked on my own words, but it still wasn’t as bad as the fact that my father could be him.
“Then thank you. I live just a couple blocks over.”
I only nodded, trapped between the fact that he’s my father, and my stubborn mind that just won’t believe in the fact I was living through.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
Normally the sweet scent of coffee would’ve caught my whole mind in its hands, but tonight was a different story. My eyes were glued onto the black ink on plain white paper while my ears were intoned to the man as he spoke. He went on for what felt like a brief but informative five minutes, until I finally looked up and he stopped. My eyes first lingered on his name card which read –Vincent Wong –.
“So you’re telling me you’ll be able to find the man’s exact location within three months max?”
“Only if he’s still alive,” the investigator replied.
“I’m one-hundred percent positive that he’s still alive.”
“Then I will be able to find him for you.” He answered me with assurance.
“I already wrote you a check for half the payment. The rest you will get after he’s found.”
“Thank you Mr. Lam.”
“Vincent, please do me another favor,” I spoke. “Pay extra attention to my dad.”
“I understand.” With his last nod and assuring smirk, P.I. Wong quickly left the café in a hurry.
I sat back, thinking over the simple but dangerous step I’m taking. What if my dad doesn’t agree with my decision? What if Tavia is planning something against me that could alter the ending I had hoped for? There were so many what ifs and so many risks in this simple decision that were making me rethink my actions. I closed my eyes. No matter what, I’ve already taken on this gamble. Now all I’m hoping and standing on is Tavia’s heart.
A soft, muffled knock suddenly opened my eyes. I turned to my right, looking through the thin layer of glass that separated me from her. I saw Bernice’s eyes, red, bloodshot and seeming like she’s been crying for ages. Her hands were on the window, using it as support as she bent over and dropped herself on the ground. Immediately I got up and ran outside. Never have I seen her this way. She was always so strong.
“Bernice,” I called her name. “Bernice are you okay?”
She looked up, only then did the look in her eyes struck understanding to me. “Raymond?”
“What happened?”
She laughed bitterly and tossed the glass bottle in her hand onto the ground. The glass shattered to pieces, and along with it so did her heart. “Why don’t you ask your heartless friend?”
“What happened between you and Ron?” I asked, helping her stand straight up.
Again she laughed a bitter laugh that I’ve never heard before. “He thought I wouldn’t know. He thought I’m kept in the dark. But he’s so wrong. I know,” she continued
“What, what do you know?”
“That my fiancée is having affairs with that blasted princess Nancy Wu! I trusted him. I did everything for him, and look what he’s done for me.” She paused to let out another laugh that I could tell was only hiding her pain and making it worse. “Ron went and slept with her, even after he asked to marry me. Now she’s pregnant, and there’s no way back. It’s all a huge mistake, and I thought I could let it go if he stayed with me, and if Kenneth took the blame for the baby. But I couldn’t, I can’t stand seeing him worry about her every minute of every day!” Tears streamed down her beautiful face as she balanced herself before me. “I don’t get it, why does he love her so much?”
Her question made me speechless. I’ve always known that inside Ron he still held something for Nancy, and I guess it was wrong of me to just let that part of him go. Now Bernice is in tears, something I’ve never ever witnessed and would never believe if I’m not seeing it myself. But what more could I say now to her? Telling her the truth about his feelings won’t do her any good. But telling her a lie would just hurt her even more.
“Look over there,” she smiled bitterly and pointed to the black sedan parked across the street.
Beside the car I saw a tall, brooding stature leaning on it, a man who was Ron. He seemed to be waiting, but for what? His expression showed happiness but worry at the same time. Only then did it occur to me that only Nancy Wu could bring a smile to Ron’s face. And the apartment building behind him belonged to Nancy.
“I’ve never seen him smile that brightly before.” Bernice spoke up. “Heartless.”
My eyes were pulled over to the main entrance. There I saw Kenneth and Nancy step out of the building, both faces looking down and serious. When Ron saw the expression on Kenneth’s face, I could see his obvious change in mood. I watched as Ron straightened himself, standing tall and broad in front of Kenneth. I could tell the conversation was over Nancy.
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
I was frozen and seemingly invisible in between Ron and Kenneth. They were quiet for a while, and during that silence my heart climbed to its peak in anxiety. I turned around when I heard Kenneth’s nearly inaudible clearing of his throat. His expression looked rock solid and threateningly serious as he began to open his mouth.
“So you’re taking care of Nancy and the baby now?” He asked Ron with pressure.
Ron nodded. “Yes, and I apologize for creating so much troubles before. I also apologize to you and Nancy for ever hurting and troubling you two. But the child inside Nancy’s stomach is my son, and it’s only fair that I take care of her and my baby. I’m sorry Kenneth.” I heard Ron’s every word role out with sincerity. Now all that’s left is Kenneth’s reaction.
“Why and how am I supposed to trust you after the many times that you changed your mind and hurt her?”
“I know I was stupid before, but I’ve reached the point in life where I’m firmly standing on my decision. Kenneth, I’m going to stand with Nancy and the baby no matter what. I’m just here to inform you of my decision, not asking for your permission.”
“I understand, but what about your fiancée?” Kenneth asked. That moment, I could feel Kenneth’s rise in pressure as he clenched his fist tightly together.
“I’ve already hurt two women in my life. It’s time I make my decision before I cause neither one of them any more pain. Sooner or later Bernice will find out, and I’m planning on telling her everything after I talk to you.”
Kenneth only nodded. His movement was forced and tense.
“Tonight I’m only here to apologize and inform to you our news. I’m also here to ask of what I can do for you, to thank you and pay you back for taking care of Nancy and my child for so long.”
“You want to pay me back?” Kenneth asked, looking up. My heart froze once I heard the quick crack in his knuckles. Suddenly, faster than lightning, Kenneth brought his fist up and swept Ron across the face, causing a loud, bone chilling crack, and leaving a painful bruise behind on his left cheek. I wanted to stop them, but I still felt frozen and unable to move. Kenneth suddenly spoke up. “That’s all I want. I would punch you more but I don’t want to worry Nancy too much.”
Ron straightened himself, flexing his jaw from the impact. I could see Ron’s tension building and fading with Kenneth’s words and his glance at me. “Thank you, and I’m sorry,” was all he said.
“I’m warning you Ron Ng. If you ever hurt her again, I will kill you myself.”
Ron nodded with great assurance. “I know, and I won’t.”
Kenneth turned and left quickly. As he turned around I saw him shake slightly to free himself of all the tension he built up in their quick conversation. I couldn’t help but feel relieved knowing Kenneth was okay after all. Now I can finally see that I only treat Kenneth as an older brother, and Kenneth treated me as a younger sister. I guess being siblings is great and there was nothing more I could ask for after everything that happened.
Ron’s arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me in closer to him. I could feel his soft little smile forming as he leaned his head gently on my shoulder. We breathed softly and stayed still in that stance for a moment, after I was finally freed of most worries.
“Does it still hurt?” I asked him, placing my hand gently on his bruise, careful not to hurt him.
He shook his head softly. “Not anymore,” he smiled, and leaned down to kiss me.
It started with a small and short kiss, lip touching lip. But then something inside of us pushed the feeling onward and slowly I find myself exploring the depth of his heart with my eyes closed. Ron was gentle and caring as his lips touched mine repeatedly. I could feel the protective feel of his arms tighten around me, making me feel like the safest person to ever walk the Earth. This was what it used to be with us, and I have a strong feeling that this was how it will be in our future. Behind our long and loving kiss I held a smile only Ron could see and feel.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
My emotions turned to pity after I watched Ron and Nancy’s charade of lips continue on. In my mind, I honestly felt joy and relief that this troublesome couple finally are together and seem sound on their decided ending. The pity in me came from the sight of a drunken Bernice Liu, kneeling on the ground beside my leg. I looked down speechlessly at her. There was nothing more I could say.
“You know I always felt jealous of her,” Bernice began. “Whenever I was with Ron, I could always feel that not all of him was there. It was like she’s had him in her hands all that time, even when she didn’t even appear before him. Nancy Wu makes me feel like a pathetic loser, and it just hurts so much to see them openly like this.”
I was trying to process out a word of comfort for my long time friend, but nothing came out. All I had was pity and sympathy for her.
“Raymond, do me a favor and don’t follow me.” She smiled bitterly as she picked herself and her half empty glass bottle up from the ground. She lingered for balance then used the brick wall beside us for support.
I nodded when she shot me a pleading glance. Following her was just what I would do, and since she’s asked me not to, I have to respect her decision.
Bernice slowly turned and walked away. Her footsteps seem to echo down the street despite the immense crowd of people already drowning her. I lost sight of her after a couple short minutes. Again, I was still speechless as to what I can say to Bernice. On one hand I felt sad for her that he left her even though she loved him so much. But on the other hand I felt happy for my close friends.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
The entire car ride echoed with a long, horrible silence that pained me deeply. I couldn’t accept the fact that this man sitting beside me was my father. It was all too sudden to learn that my father who was pronounced dead for twenty years of my life just suddenly show up again, living, breathing and laughing. I just wasn’t able to accept the thought one bit, and it hurt too knowing that I can’t force myself to accept my own father. I should be glad that he’s still alive, but why was the feeling inside me making this encounter so sudden and awkward?
“Thank you, you can stop here.” I turned to him as he spoke, and his every word came out with a relaxed smile that I had missed so much.
“Alright, have a good night though.” Those were all I could say to him.
“You too, and it was great meeting someone like you, despite the reckless driving part.”
“It was great meeting you too.” I felt pathetic as I watched my own father step out of my car knowing that those were all that I could say to him.
As he disappeared up the staircase of the apartment building, I sat back in the leather seating of my car and sighed. I didn’t know what I want, and I was starting to think that what Damian said was true. I am weak, and I can’t stand tall and alone when sudden surprises hit me such as this one. I leaned my head on my hand, blinking slowly and watching the footsteps of people passing by.
He was my father, I was sure of it. But yet I couldn’t bring myself to call him dad, and it pained me. Tonight’s encounter has brought yet another troublesome thought to my mind. The occasion should have been a perfect reunion for us, but yet I ruined it just because it all came too quick. I don’t know what I want anymore, and I fear that if this thought pushes forward, my confidence of beating Damian will diminish into absolute nothing. Dropping down my arm and just leaning back on the chair, I couldn’t help but take a glance across the street. Thanks to that glance, I caught sight of Damian. I caught sight of my very own uncle, quickly approaching the apartment building where my father had just disappeared in to. This was unbelievable. So Damian knew all along?
I didn’t know what got over me, but I found myself storming over to him.
“Tavia?!” He smiled awkwardly when he caught sight of me.
I could tell my expression was rough, and without control over myself I suddenly grabbed him by the collar. I placed force on the hold so he wouldn’t slip away, and with that I pushed him back, pinning him to the wall. With this sudden force, normally I would be glad because this was how I used to be, before Raymond. Yet at the current moment, all I could think of was my demand for an explanation.
“What are you doing?” he asked me.
“What is going on? I just gave my father a ride home! After you and everyone else lied that he was dead for twenty years, what is going on?!” I couldn’t help myself, I was yelling at him. Tears came to my eyes but the anger that I’ve been lied to and played for twenty long years held it all back.
The look in Damian’s eyes were hurtful, because he knew everything. The color of his face flushed to a ghostly white as he swallowed hard and looked me in the eyes. All I was waiting for and wanting was an explanation. If my father was here, what about my mother? What else are all these greedy liars keeping from me?
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